222 North City
222 N City Dr,
San Marcos, CA 92096
$2,300 - $12,850
Studio - 4 Beds
Rental Market Trends in San Marcos, CA
What is the average rent in San Marcos, CA?
$2,431/month
Average Rent
699 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
+1%
Increase in the Last Year
As of January 2026, the average rent in San Marcos, CA is $2,431 per month. This is 50% higher than the national average rent price of $1,625/month, making San Marcos one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in San Marcos, you can expect to pay about $2,504 per month for a studio, $2,431 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,852 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,774 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in San Marcos, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1%, which averages out to $26 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated January 2026
Legend
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in San Marcos, CA
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
0%
$700 - $1,000/month
7%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
20%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
73%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Marcos?
Based on current rent prices, Lancer Park is the most affordable neighborhood in San Marcos.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Marcos?
Based on current rent prices, Lancer Park is the most expensive neighborhood in San Marcos.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which San Marcos neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhood in San Marcos with the most apartments available is Lancer Park .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Marcos, CA?
Because the average rent in San Marcos is $2,431, you’ll want to make about $8,103 per month or $97,236 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does San Marcos, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare San Marcos, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
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One Bedroom
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Two Bedroom
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Three Bedroom
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Nearby City Rent Trends
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AvalonBay
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.